Question for experts - algae and freshwater shrimp

[KEITH JENNINGS]

I recently heard that some varieties of freshwater shrimp eat algae. Do any
of them eat black hair algae ? Any other suggestions to control black hair
algae if shrimp would be unsuitable for my tank ??

I would like to get control of the algae without resorting to chemicals that
might hurt my fish or plants. I have the bottom 2/3 planted , some driftwood
, a few small piles of rocks for cover , and small shy fish ( neons ,
apistos, rams , etc. )

Tank conditions : pH = 6.7 , total hardness = 90 ppm , ammonia and
nitrite below 1/2 ppm , nitrate 30 to 50 ppm ( high , but working on it )
, no CO2 added , aquarium fertilizer used as recommended , 70 watts
fluorescent lights , 40 gal. "breeder" tank ( 14 deep X 18 wide X 36
inches long ) temp 80 F

Thanks in advance ;
Keith J.

[Da' Fishboy]

I had a group of Cories Sterbia work over tank full of Black Hair Algae...

They did a great job of cleaning out...

Earl
"LeighMo" > wrote in message
...
> >I recently heard that some varieties of freshwater shrimp eat algae. Do
any
> >of them eat black hair algae ?
>
> SAEs are the critters that are recommended for that kind of algae (BBA).
>
> Shrimp do eat filamentous algae. Particularly Amano shrimp. Not sure how
good
> a job they do on BBA. I've heard mixed reports. My ghost shrimp seem to
eat
> it, but only if there's no better pickings to be had.
>
> Snails might also be worth a shot.
>
> In any case, don't expect algae-eating creatures to cure your algae
problem
> overnight. Mostly, they eat young and tender algae, leaving the old, big,
ugly
> stuff alone. What works best is to remove what algae you can (cutting off
> infested leaves, if necessary). The SAEs (or whatever) will then prevent
new
> algae from growing. Algae will disappear very slowly.
>
>
>
>
> Leigh
>
> http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/